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The energy of Modern Dance

Last month, we spoke about the nine different movement forms that serve as energetic inspiration for Nia: three dance arts (Modern Dance, Jazz Dance and Duncan Dance), three martial arts (Tae-Kwon-Do, Tai Chi and Aikido) and three healing arts (Yoga, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Technique). With your permission, I would like to spend the following nine months delving more deeply into each one of these and contemplating its contribution to Nia.This month we will place the spotlig

Last month, we spoke about the nine different movement forms that serve as energetic inspiration for Nia: three dance arts (Modern Dance, Jazz Dance and Duncan Dance), three martial arts (Tae-Kwon-Do, Tai Chi and Aikido) and three healing arts (Yoga, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Technique). With your permission, I would like to spend the following nine months delving more deeply into each one of these and contemplating its contribution to Nia.

This month we will place the spotlight on Modern Dance. Modern Dance began, not just as a reaction to the formalities of Ballet, but also as a social phenomenon in Europe and America, where the strictures of Victorian society were declining and the middle class was rising.

Modern Dance started to rebel against the huge emphasis on technique that exists in Ballet. Emotional expression was favoured above formal perfection. Gravity was no longer a force to be denied, but a fundamental tool of the dancer, who played constantly with balance, making shapes in space. Pointe shoes were mostly abandoned, often in favour of the bare foot. Clothing became adventurous. Following a parallel path to that of twentieth century music and art, dance became a highly explorative medium.

Many of the philosophies of modern dancers and choreographers have been espoused by Nia. François Delsarte proposed that each emotion or mental image corresponds to a movement. This technique has been used frequently in the creation of Nia routines (think of Shine from the routine R1, or the title song of the routine Rise). This idea, coupled with the lyrics of the music, contributes hugely to the therapeutic nature of Nia.

Mary Wigman, regarded as an Expressionist, regarded movement as being closely tied to spirituality, and her pieces were highly expressive of inner states. In Nia, through moving our bodies alone, we impact deeply on mind, emotions and spirit too.

The notion of imbalance as a basis of movement, as espoused by Doris Humphrey, is a common one during Nia's unstructured dance. In order to master the balance of our bodies, we need to start from a position of imbalance.

The famous Martha Graham school of dancing teaches various concepts that Nia uses: focus on the center of the body, coordination between breathing and movement and our relationship with the floor (taken to the extreme in Nia through extensive use of Floor Play).

All of these ideas, along with many more, can be explored very effectively during the unstructured parts of a Nia class, during which we give ourselves permission to simply play, explore and experience movement and sensation.

Next month, we hope to take a look at the energy of Jazz Dance and explore its contributions to Nia.

Balancing the Energies

Contrast is a fundamental aspect of every art form. Think of a painting with colours dark as well as light, warm and cold hues. Or the beautiful blend of tone colours in a musical symphony. The artful combination of flavours in a perfectly cooked dish. Or the subtle juxtaposition of words and sounds in a lyrical poem.Every Nia class is a magic tapestry of contrasts. We transition seamlessly from one energetic state to another. One moment we may be sassy show-offs, the next, powerful fi

Contrast is a fundamental aspect of every art form. Think of a painting with colours dark as well as light, warm and cold hues. Or the beautiful blend of tone colours in a musical symphony. The artful combination of flavours in a perfectly cooked dish. Or the subtle juxtaposition of words and sounds in a lyrical poem.

Every Nia class is a magic tapestry of contrasts. We transition seamlessly from one energetic state to another. One moment we may be sassy show-offs, the next, powerful fighters. After that we could move intrinsically, sensing our anatomy intuitively. In another instant, we become shape-shifters in space, molding our bodies with expressive power. Our bodies guide us naturally from one state to the next.

By the end of the class we have been on an adventure, traveling through every energetic terrain we can imagine. The result is a work-out that not only incorporates the whole body, but also moves our spirits and emotions through a universe of different spaces.

Nia draws inspiration from nine completely diverse movement forms: three dance arts (Modern Dance, Jazz Dance and Duncan Dance), three martial arts (Tae-kwon-do, Aikido and Tai Chi) and three healing arts (Yoga, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais). Each one of these has its own unique energy, which it contributes to the fabric of Nia.

While some of the Nia 52 Moves could be associated with particular movement forms, there is in general no direct correspondence. For example, a front kick, which we may be tempted to associate with Tae Kwon Do, can be danced with the energy of Jazz Dance, or sustained in a yoga-like move. The way in which we energise the moves adds even further to the richness of the Nia experience.

In this way, Nia becomes far greater than the sum of its parts. Nia is not a combination of nine movement forms. Rather, Nia is an unique technique that draws inspiration from the energies of nine different movement forms. This distinction is crucial in understanding the very essence of Nia.

In the coming months, we hope to home in on one movement form at a time, examine its philosophy and nature, and reflect on its contribution to Nia. It should be a fascinating journey, and I can't wait to share my thoughts with you!

Notes About This Class

Nia and the nervous system

The nervous system is a fascinating system consisting of the brain, spinal cord and a network of nerves reaching into every single part of the body. It is a giant, high speed communications network controlling both voluntary and involuntary actions as well as sensation in the body. The hub is the Central Nervous System, comprised of the brain and spinal cord.What never ceases to amaze me is that the brain is a fluid, ever-changing system. With every developmental milestone that my baby

The nervous system is a fascinating system consisting of the brain, spinal cord and a network of nerves reaching into every single part of the body. It is a giant, high speed communications network controlling both voluntary and involuntary actions as well as sensation in the body. The hub is the Central Nervous System, comprised of the brain and spinal cord.

What never ceases to amaze me is that the brain is a fluid, ever-changing system. With every developmental milestone that my baby daughter reaches, I imagine the new cell layers that have just developed in her brain, and all the new connections that allow her to sit, stand or grasp objects. The ability to perform an action is a consequence of the physical structure of the brain. Many current studies in psychology observe the physical effects in the brain of behaviours or circumstances.

While this phenomenon is most evident in the very young, the truth is that our brains never stop evolving. We are never too old to learn new things, and this learning is precisely the formation of new neural connections in the brain. The more we learn as adults, the more adept our brains are at forming new connections. This is why the secret to lasting youth is to never stop learning.

Nia is amazing for the brain and the entire nervous system. Through the 52 Moves, we engage the entire body, stimulating far more neural pathways than in a repetitive form of exercise. The movements are forever changing, being combined and recombined in a beautiful tapestry of dance.

Nia is choreographed with this in mind, combining contrasting patterns - fast and slow, high and low, base of the body with upper extremities. On top of this, we play with the movements, mixing them up, combining and recombining rhythm, intensity, energy and sensation, always changing and always presenting our nervous system with refreshing challenges.

Nia: Shining YOUR light!

Editorial from newsletter dated October 2014:Every single one of us is an unique blend of body, mind, heart and soul. The old cliché is true: each one of us is unique. There is only one of you on this planet and, even more than that, there will only ever be one YOU.You are the only source for your light in this world, and the world needs your light. Just as nobody else can shine with your light, nobody can fulfil your mission. Every one of us has their own purpose and shines wi

Every single one of us is an unique blend of body, mind, heart and soul. The old cliché is true: each one of us is unique. There is only one of you on this planet and, even more than that, there will only ever be one YOU.

You are the only source for your light in this world, and the world needs your light. Just as nobody else can shine with your light, nobody can fulfil your mission. Every one of us has their own purpose and shines with the light that we need in order to fulfil that purpose.

Carrying this consciousness with us constantly is the most empowering tool in every domain of life. It is the key to wellness, a meaningful life and success in every situation.

For example, loving relationships can be viewed through this lens. When we cherish the uniqueness of someone's (including our own!) light, they are encouraged to shine it ever brighter and are able to reach for their potential. This is love.

Sometimes we may find ourselves in situations where our light seems so out of the ordinary that we feel uncomfortable shining it and seek conformity. We start to feel confined and possibly depressed. In the long-term we may forget to love our own light and disregard our uniqueness. This habit stifles our creative potential and can be extremely hard to break.

Nia provides an incredible impetus for shining our light. Nia choreography provides the form that opens doors to freedom of expression - in every Nia class you will see a beautiful individuality of interpretation in the movements of every person.

By dancing in a loving, caring and supportive environment, in which there are no boundaries, we practice shining our light in a safe space, opening the doors to shine wherever we go.

A symphony of moves

Editorial of our newsletter dated September 2014:This month we will focus on the 52 Moves of Nia. The Nia 52 Moves form the basis of everything we do in Nia. They are divided into three groups - base moves, core moves, and moves for the upper extremities. Together, they encapsulate the full range of human motion. When practised for their own sake, they provide a delicious full-body work-out. Indeed, one application of the 52 Moves is Move I.T., a new and unique approach to cardiovascul

This month we will focus on the 52 Moves of Nia. The Nia 52 Moves form the basis of everything we do in Nia. They are divided into three groups - base moves, core moves, and moves for the upper extremities. Together, they encapsulate the full range of human motion. When practised for their own sake, they provide a delicious full-body work-out. Indeed, one application of the 52 Moves is Move I.T., a new and unique approach to cardiovascular interval training.

Yet these moves also form the basis for something far more profound and universal.

A musical symphony is composed from individual notes. These are performed simultaneously to create chords, or in sequence to form intricate, beautiful melodies. Chords and melodies are shaped and formed through the use of rhythm. Different instruments give each note its own special timbre, and the individual musicality of the performers uplifts this collection of soundwaves, frequencies and harmonics into the realm of art.

This is a great analogy for how we dance Nia. The building blocks of Nia, similar to the notes in music, are the 52 Moves. Nia choreography is created from these 52 moves performed simultaneously (like chords) and sequentially (like melodies) guided by the luscious rhythms of the accompanying music.

And like performers, breathing life into the soundwaves, we energise the choreography. We infuse every move with our own spirit and individuality. No two people dance in the same way because no two people are alike. In Nia, we celebrate this individuality, we celebrate our uniqueness.

We thus have a the beautiful balance triad of Music - Movement - Magic. When we add the Movement of the 52 Moves to the beauty of Nia Music and infuse it with our personal uniqueness, the outcome is - MAGIC!

What is SENSATION?

Editorial from our newsletter dated August 2014:The focus of our classes this month is SENSATION. Together we will explore the Five Sensations of Nia: Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Strength and Stability.These five concepts are generally understood to refer to properties or qualities of a body. We talk about a person having "flexibility" if they can put their feet around their neck. Or somebody who has "strength" is capable of lifting heavy weights. This co

The focus of our classes this month is SENSATION. Together we will explore the Five Sensations of Nia: Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Strength and Stability.

These five concepts are generally understood to refer to properties or qualities of a body. We talk about a person having "flexibility" if they can put their feet around their neck. Or somebody who has "strength" is capable of lifting heavy weights. This conventional understanding is off-putting to people who don't believe they possess these attributes.

Nia reframes these concepts as "sensations" rather than properties. We think about them energetically. The definitions that Nia gives for these sensations are far more basic and essential than the conventional understanding, as we will see shortly.

Experiencing the five sensations makes no demands on our own body's way. Rather, it requires sensing our bodies energetically - a skill that can be learnt by everybody, regardless of their individual body characteristics.

Now, the person who regards herself as being "stiff" can experience flexibility. One who has always viewed herself as "weak" will experience strength.

This is only the starting point of the experience. Through increased awareness of these sensations, our bodies slowly transform and start to exhibit these sensations as characteristics, i.e. in the conventional sense of the word. For instance, by practising sensing flexibility, we will eventually be able to touch our toes, put our feet around our necks or whatever it is that seems impossible right now.

Playing with the Five Sensations from the Nia perspective is thus a gateway to transformation, both experientially and physically.

Why people love Nia

I decided to share, on this page, all of my previous newsletter editorials (from our mailing list). What follows is from July 2014.This month, I would like to share with you some real quotes from students of Nia in Cape Town, South Africa. Many thanks to OurNiaSpace for the contribution."My sense is that of coming back to my natural self and shedding all the training of life.""Nia opens me up inside.""Great for endorphins! No more depression-

I decided to share, on this page, all of my previous newsletter editorials (from our mailing list). What follows is from July 2014.

This month, I would like to share with you some real quotes from students of Nia in Cape Town, South Africa. Many thanks to OurNiaSpace for the contribution.

"My sense is that of coming back to my natural self and shedding all the training of life.""Nia opens me up inside.""Great for endorphins! No more depression-lovely movement light- free –fly""Nia is the secret passage into pure joy.""Nia is a work out but it never feels like work.""A place of safety where I can get lost in the sheer joy of movement-my own special way of moving.""Nia is a sure way to fall in love with yourself again (and everyone else).""Nia brings out the strength of soul and character of womankind. When we dance we are potent, sexy and joyous.""Nia sets me free to fly! Be yourself with Nia""A smile on my face that comes from a place of peace""Aah Nia…what a lovely sensation just thinking about it. It has really changed my structured life- free movements, flowing blissful aah Nia…""I love to dance and Nia provides a smoke free, nonjudgmental safe environment.""In a very stress filled world there is space for me in Nia to be myself, be in touch with my body and to feel no pressure to achieve more than enjoyment.""By the end of a Nia class I am no longer critical of myself. I am feeling calm, clear and peaceful.""Nia lifts my spirit! Nia is my light!""I love Nia! It gets me moving, breathing and loving life!!""Nia is the most awesome technique to touch the earth. It’s the ultimate in self-expression and release of the body and soul.""Today Nia gave me a sense of my true vastness, a delicious taste of being the director of my own movie, Peace, Joy, a huge smile and sweet sweet pearls""Today Nia really gave me the sensation of every single being in my body.""A sense of self worth.""Nia gives me sanity.""Nia has allowed the diva in me to come out and play, And she is here to stay!""Today Nia gave me an energy boost and happy thoughts. Nia brings me closer to myself.""Today Nia gave me to space to be me at my own pace and style.""Nia centered me today and gave me upliftment!""Nia allows me to express myself creatively.""A wow feeling – Alive!!""This morning Nia cleared my path to conquer another week!""Today Nia eased my pounding head.""This morning Nia gave me what I have come to expect from it – JOY JOY!""I often feel invisible – like I’m on the outside looking in. Today I was slap bang in the middle of life – on the inside looking out."

Notes About This Event

Welcome to Nia in Monterrey!

Greetings!Earlier this year, I was all set to start teaching Nia here in Monterrey. My well-laid plans were postponed by the onset of severe morning sickness during early pregnancy, which made the very thought of moving unappealing. General pregnancy malaise made me hesitant to start Nia practice again, until the arrival of backache in my seventh month. I very quickly learnt that a half hour of Nia is all that stands between me and a sleepless night of tossing from one uncomfortable po

Earlier this year, I was all set to start teaching Nia here in Monterrey. My well-laid plans were postponed by the onset of severe morning sickness during early pregnancy, which made the very thought of moving unappealing. General pregnancy malaise made me hesitant to start Nia practice again, until the arrival of backache in my seventh month. I very quickly learnt that a half hour of Nia is all that stands between me and a sleepless night of tossing from one uncomfortable position to the next.

Although I am not currently teaching Nia, I decided, with the wonderful encouragement of my husband, to start sharing my explorations of Nia here. I hope that what I write will inspire all readers - women, men, all ages, pregnant or not, all levels of fitness and body functioning - to connect with their bodies through movement and explore the wealth that Nia can bring to body, mind, emotions and spirit. And in due course, I really hope to share these experiences with you in person.

One of the key themes that I would like to explore in this and future posts, is that of Transformation. Since Nia came into my life, it has been crucial in shaping the way that I am, which has led to a domino effect in creating substantial positive change in my life. These transformations are nearly always unexpectedly rapid and often occur in unanticipated directions.

Pregnancy is a substantial physical change. Although everyone tells me how small I look, my sensation is one of massive clumsiness. My feet feel like distant relatives and my back struggles with the extra weight, as I've always had a naturally slim build. Getting up off the sofa requires considerable effort, and getting into my low bed results in a few minutes of waiting for my heartrate and breathing to normalise.

Yet when I remove my shoes and the first few bars of music start to play, my body remembers the lightness it always used to feel. As I start gently warming up, the stiffness lifts from my joints and my spine starts to feel an incredible openness. With the next few songs, I am careful to monitor the intensity of my movement. (A good rule of thumb for pregnant women is to ensure you are always able to speak normally while exercising in order not to push the heart rate too high). Yet suddenly my movements are flowing and effortless, and glancing in the mirror, I see none of my customary awkwardness. The session is rounded off with a gentle cool-down, during which I pass through the body, checking in on all parts and giving loving attention wherever it is needed. Thereafter, my body is happy to settle down even more and relax. During the last few moments I'm able to focus on the miracle happening inside me, bring attention to the beautiful baby that has been dancing with me, and empower myself for the chidbirth experience lying ahead.

When I finally step out of this space that has held me for the last minutes, a glance in the mirror shows a rejuvenated woman with upright posture, a relaxed, happy face, a song on her lips and the willpower to create...

About Nia

What is Nia?

Nia is a sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts. It empowers people of all shapes and sizes by connecting the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Classes are taken barefoot to soul-stirring music in more than 45 countries. Trainings are designed for those seeking personal enrichment and professional development. Every experience can be adapted to individual needs and abilities. Step into your own joyful journey with Nia, and positively shape the way you feel, look, think and live.

How does Nia work?

Nia draws from Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, jazz dance, modern dance, Duncan dance, yoga, Alexander Technique and Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais. Every class offers a unique combination of 52 moves that correspond with the main areas of the body: the base, the core and the upper extremities. Stiff beginners and highly fit athletes alike can adapt Nia to meet their needs by choosing from three intensity levels. Consecutive trainings collectively explore 52 principles for personal enrichment and professional development. Read testimonials from people of all ages, backgrounds and locations.

Why was Nia created?

Nia’s purpose is to grow a worldwide community of healthy people who are empowered to do great things. We believe every person can discover, explore, unleash and enhance their individual potential to live a fulfilling and meaningful life – by engaging their senses and listening to their bodies. With the right tools and education, we can increase our confidence and happiness. We can become connected to others to shape a consciousness that extends beyond our own. Together we will unearth possibilities never before imagined.